Very happy to announce that I have been commissioned by the acclaimed chamber orchestra, Sinfonia Toronto, to compose a new work in honour of their 25th anniversary season! When Nurhan Arman approached me to compose this concert overture, I immediately thought about how it would be fitting to base the composition on something positive and […]
One of the exciting projects I have been working on this year is a new large-scale composition focused on bringing awareness to the invisible health impacts and struggles of having a brain injury. I composed the piece for bass clarinetist, Kathryn Ladano, a brain injury survivor herself. All of our work will culminate in a […]
I am very happy to announce that my album collaboration with the amazing bassoonist, Sébastien Malette, will be released May 12! Here’s the official unveiling of the album cover… Sébastien commissioned me to compose A Village of Landscapes, a 13-piece suite for bassoon inspired by photos of stirring natural landscapes in Canada. Each photo was […]
Completing a project can always be an intense time in the creative process, especially when on the theme of climate change. But these past 2 days working with the piano/percussion duo, SHHH!! Ensemble, has been amazing and gratifying putting the final touches on the epic hour-long artivist piece they commissioned, An Auditory Survey of the […]
People often ask me, what is it like to listen to your music being performed? Honestly, it’s always this wonderful out-of-body experience. This was the case x 10 as I sat with such a great audience to experience the magic of vocalist, Meredith Hall, and pianist, Brahm Goldhamer, presenting the world premiere of my large-scale […]
If someone ever tells you that making new music is a solitary endeavour, don’t believe them! Case in point, my collaboration with Sharlene Wallace – we recently found out that a group of Sharlene’s students had banded together to commission an Oak tree in our Trees.Listen project, one of the pieces that will make up […]
We had a wonderful time at the Canadian Music Centre celebrating this week’s release of From Oblivion to Hope, my album collaboration with the amazing Odin Quartet! From Oblivion to Hope has a serious and pessimistic tone to start. But, as we go from piece to piece, the tone evolves to something more optimistic, ending […]
I was in awe and filled with exhilaration as I witnessed my good friend and acclaimed soprano, Meredith Hall present the first complete performance of all 13 songs from my large-scale cycle for voice and piano called Fractures. Joined by eminent collaborative pianist and vocal coach, Brahm Goldhamer, this was their final private presentation for […]
I am very happy to announce that my album collaboration with the wonderful Odin Quartet will be released March 31! Come celebrate with us on March 29 at the Canadian Music Centre in Toronto! Here’s the official unveiling of the album cover designed by Matthew Maaskant… From Oblivion to Hope will have a serious and […]
What a delightful evening it was to attend the first performance, for close acquaintances, by my good friend and acclaimed soprano, Meredith Hall, and eminent collaborative pianist and vocal coach, Brahm Goldhamer. They performed selections from a large-scale song cycle for voice and piano that I composed called Fractures. The idea for this project first […]
I feel very honoured that I have been invited to attend an expedition to the Arctic this coming June! Along with other international artists, scientists, educators and innovators, I will be living and composing on-board a Tall Ship for 3 weeks while sailing the waters of the international territory of Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago just […]
Happy New Year, Friends! Lisa and I put away our Christmas decorations earlier this week. It’s a nice annual tradition to clean up and make everything tidy. It’s like a renewal, starting the new year with a clean slate. Rather than jump back into work at our desks, we decided to sit on the couch […]
Tis the Season for goodwill and joy, spending time with loved ones, and reflecting on all that we have accomplished this past year. I’m also taking time this Holiday Season to hold close to my heart and be grateful towards all my creative partners and to you, the supporters of my musical endeavours. It means […]
There’s no better way to end a year than making music with wonderful people! Case in point, it was a great pleasure to spend the last 2 days recording with Sébastien Malette at Port Nelson United Church in Burlington. He commissioned me to compose a suite of solo bassoon pieces called A Village of Landscapes. […]
I am pleased to announce that one of Canada’s foremost new music presenters, NUMUS, has commissioned me to compose an ambitious new work for bass clarinet, instrumental cameos, and fixed electronics called Anatomy of the Recovering Brain. Acclaimed bass clarinetist, my friend and collaborator, Kathryn Ladano, and I started conversations about this project 1.5 years […]
